The player that could’ve accelerated their growth and their beloved timeline is now a member of the Celtics. The risk-averse franchise has now passed on the chance to acquire Kyrie Irving and DeMarcus Cousins, betting on a slow-growth future with no guarantees.

Here’s what we’ve learned along the way:

Ryan McDonough’s greatest mistake continues to haunt him. His trade of Isaiah Thomas was a colossal mistake, albeit understandable at the time. But it gave Boston an underpaid MVP candidate, and the piece it needed to acquire Irving in a blockbuster trade.

It puts a lot of pressure on rookie Josh Jackson, the player the Suns refused to peddle in order to consummate a deal for Irving. I remain baffled by the number of Suns fans who deem Jackson indispensable, more important to the long-term than a player like Irving. And I wonder how many of them actually watched Jackson play during his freshman season at Kansas.

If Jackson turns out to be an impact defender and perennial All-Star, I will laud the Suns for their vision and restraint. But if Jackson is just another underwhelming, under-prepared rookie joining the NBA after a small taste of college basketball, the Suns will have to answer for their lack of urgency and their lack of fortitude.

The deal was a major coup for Cleveland, a team that had no leverage and no chance of keeping Irving on the roster. It confirmed that Celtics architect Danny Ainge is the best big-game hunter in the NBA. And I feel really bad for Thomas, who is coming off an injury, entering a contract year and must sustain his worth while playing off the ball, alongside LeBron James. Good luck with that.

In the end, I understand why Suns fans wanted no part of Cousins, an impact center the Kings traded to New Orleans in February. His temperament and personality alienated teammates and coaches alike. The risk with Cousins was real and dangerous.

But Irving is the one of the best talents ever to hit the trade market, and one of the most gifted scorers the NBA has ever seen. I have heard nothing but glowing reports from people who know him well. And I don’t want to hear a word about how Irving has two years left on his contract and might have left Phoenix in the lurch.

This organization raves about its culture and its status as a destination market. It’s time to prove it. They need to put their money where their mouth is, take a chance on a marquee player, and bet that the Phoenix experience will inevitably lead to a long-term commitment.

Problem is, the Suns can’t seem to push the button.

The projection for 2017-18 is another long season with mounting losses and lottery projections. While many of you seem strangely content with the strategy, the team has actually fallen behind in the Western Conference. And I’m getting sick of waiting.

Goodbye, Markieff (2016) - The trade: the Suns sent Markieff Morris to the Wizards for a draft pick that would stay with the Wizards if it is in the draft's top nine. The Suns also acquired DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries.
Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports

Salary dump (2015) - The trade: The Suns sent Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger to create salary cap space in their pursuit of free agent LaMarcus Aldridge. The Suns received an unconditional 2020 second-round pick from the Pistons for sending out $8.4 million in salary for next season.
Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Knight added (2015) - The trade: The Suns sent center Miles Plumlee and rookie point guard Tyler Ennis to Milwaukee, and the Lakers' first-round pick to Philadelphia. In return they landed combo guard Brandon Knight from the Bucks.
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IT sent to Boston (2015) - The trade: Isaiah Thomas, on a four-year contract with decreasing salaries, was dealt to the Celtics for Cleveland's 2016 first-round pick and swingman Marcus Thornton, a volume scorer.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Adding a point guard (2013) - The trade: The Suns were part of a 3-team trade with the Bucks and Clippers. As part of the deal, Phoenix sent Jared Dudley to Los Angeles and received Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler.
David Wallace/azcentral sports

Loss of a legend (2012) - The trade: The Suns sent Steve Nash to the Lakers for four draft picks (2 1st-round, 2 2nd-round) They turned the first 1st-round pick into Archie Goodwin and have another first-round pick coming to them.
David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports